Daily Discovery is a feature that highlights a new or recently discovered artist who we’re excited about. See the rest of our Daily Discoveries here.
We didn’t need to go digging to find Trizz, because he’s already got his own army of supporters who brought Trizz to us. When he dropped his Pull Up, Vol. 2 album, Trizz fans hit us on social media asking why we haven’t covered this project yet. So we listened.
Trizz has been on his independent grime for a few years now. Through his affiliation with Brotha Lynch Hung and Strange Music, he’s been performing on stages across the country and building a legion of followers. And this isn’t all because of a buzzing single or online hype. Pull Up, Vol. 2 is quality West Coast rap that bucks current trends.
So you’re from the West Coast. What comes with that? Do you feel like you’re expected to sound a certain way?
Yep, born and raised. I definitely feel like I’m expected to sound like the typical West Coast rap artist but I don’t let other people’s judgment change my art form. My sound is versatile but you can for sure tell where I’m from, just by what I talk about in my music.
What’s your relationship with Brotha Lynch Hung? How’d that come about?
Lynch discovered me via Twitter when he heard my song “666” back in 2012. He contacted me through my direct messages, which I found hard to believe due to the fact that at the time he didn’t have the blue check by his name. I gave him my number and sure enough, he called me. We spoke for a bit and kept in touch ’til he finally asked me to be on his latest studio album Mannibalector. I would then be introduced to his label Strange Music and eventually jump on the Independent Powerhouse Tour headlined by Tech N9ne in 2013.
You’ve got a strong following and seem to be getting things done independently, but you’re not mainstream yet. Do you want to be? Would you want to be famous?
I’ve been doing this for some time and I definitely want to exceed all expectations of my career and reach a peak of fame without selling my self short by giving up my creativity to some guy in a suit. I love being independent and me being around the top indie label in the hip-hop world, Strange Music. I’ve learned that this is the best way to go.
If a major label wanted to sign you now, would you do it?
Probably not. I was raised to have control over anything that is mine. My mom is a real estate agent and since I was in high school, she always told me I can either be the guy giving orders or the guy taking them. I took that saying and ran with it. I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder hanging on to that one hot single that everybody knows me for.
What music did you grow up listening to and what music are you listening to now?
I grew up on a lot of West Coast hip-hop. I used to get teased in school because I loved it so much. I had cats like Dj Quik, Snoop, Suga Free, and Pac in my CD player. As of late though, I slap Schoolboy Q heavy, Earl Sweatshirt, Eminem of course—he’s my favorite of all time. And I listen to my right-hand guy Chuuwee from Sacramento a lot.
I saw in one interview that you cite Kurt Cobain as an influence. What part of his music or his legacy do you think affect you and your music?
Kurt Cobain is a huge part of my inspirations because I relate to a lot of his frustrations. A lot of people fault him because he committed suicide, but he just wanted to make music without all the negative energy that comes with it. I’m constantly going through the ups and downs of the industry and sometimes I just want to go on a rampage. So, I definitely feel his music. I got Nirvana tatted on my right arm and when ever I’m in Seattle I go sit on the bench in front of his house he died in.
Tell me a little about Pull Up, Vol. 2. What does this project mean to you?
This project means everything to me, as cliché as it may sound. I gave my all, my everything. I spent countless hours recording and making it as good as I could with the resources I had. I’m hoping this album will wake up everyone. I want this album to be my Illmatic, my Slim Shady LP, you know? Something people can debate over in the next five years. My goal is to push 1,000 copies on my own digital and physical. There are only 100 physical copies available and after they sell out, that’s it. I did this because in five years when that one fan who gets mad because he was listening to me first and everybody else jumped on the band wagon, he has proof that he’s been a fan and that one copy is the evidence.
There are a lot of new styles in rap right now, but yours sounds more like classic West Coast rap. What do you think about the current state of hip-hop?
I just like being my self man. I’m not flashy or flamboyant, I’m just confident and proud of what I’ve become and I don’t need to take a picture of my finances to prove that. The current state of hip-hop is not authentic as it used to be. Women’s clothes and getting mad because someone didn’t tweet your album is the thing now. I remain true to my self and keep a clear head.
What else do you want people to know about Trizz?
Just know that I’m here to stay and you will keep hearing my name. The only thing stopping me is death so good luck if you get in my way.
